The Unknown Soldier to be remembered

The Unknown Soldier of World War I, whoever that might be, will not be forgotten on the 100th anniversary of the original 1921 entombment ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. Now that France has covered the centennial of the departure of the Unknown Soldier to his final destination at Arlington, the focus has shifted to the United States.

Events and commemorations organized by the Society of Honor Guards, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are scheduled at the sacred northern Virginia resting place of notable military figures and in special commemorations across the country throughout November. Events, subject to change, are listed below. Times are local. For updates, visit tombguard.org.

Nov. 3, Lebanon, Ore. The Lebanon Oregon's Veterans' Home is dedicating a Never Forget Garden to the 100th anniversary of the Unknown Soldier and all those who have served at the VA Home. 600 N. 5th St., 10 a.m. For more information contact jeanne.barnes.dar@gmail.com.

Nov. 4, Bullard, Texas. Storytime and crafts at the Bullard Community Library with Rena French reading “Arlington, The Story of Our Nation’s Cemetery." 211 W. Main St., 10:30 a.m. For more information visit http://www.bullardlibrary.org/calendar.html.

Nov. 7, Arlington National Cemetery, Va. “Taps in Honored Glory,” a commemoration of the buglers who have sounded taps over the last century at the Tomb, begins with a 10 a.m. ceremony at the Tanner Amphitheater. Following wreath placements at the Tomb, a 2 p.m. reception and tea are planned at the Military Women’s Memorial. For more information contact jari.villanueva@gmail.com.

Nov. 8-10, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, Va. Centennial Week officially begins with displays, multi-media presentations, exhibits and lectures. The agenda includes lectures from authors, taps historians, a “Voices from the Tomb” Q&A session and more. Among the speakers is American Battle Monuments Commission historian Benjamin Brands at 1 p.m. Nov. 8, who will discuss the parallel origins of the ABMC and the Tomb; author Philip Bigler, “A Century of Honor – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 1921-2021,” lectures at 3 p.m.; and a “Voices from the Tomb” session with former Tomb guard Richard Azzaro is planned at 5 p.m. 1700 Richmond Highway. For more information contact shgtusevents@tombguard.org.

Nov. 9-10, Arlington National Cemetery, Va. The public is invited to lay a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as the nation begins to officially commemorate the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This event, first proposed to Arlington National Cemetery by the Society, will allow the public to come inside the chains and lay an individual flower at the Tomb. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. For more information on the ceremony, check the ANC website at https://lnkd.in/dKzp2ppu. The general public can request information at this ANC site: https://lnkd.in/dMCD5T-H.

Nov. 9, National Museum of the Navy, Washington, D.C.  A centennial ceremony remembering the arrival of the Unknown Soldier will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Navy History and Heritage Command, dale.a.eng@navy.mil.

Nov. 9, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. A historical plaque will be dedicated to mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival home for the Unknown Soldier at 3 p.m. For more information contact publicaffairs@tombguard.org.

Nov. 9, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia. At 4 p.m., Olympia’s bell will be rung to mark the moment when the Unknown Soldier departed the ship in the Washington Navy Yard. To access the bell-ringing, general admission fees apply. For more information contact afurlong@phillyseaport.org.

Nov. 9, White City, Ore. Dedication of the Never Forget Garden at the Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center (named for American Legion founding leader George A. White) at 11 a.m. For more information contact Janis Coder, chair, Never Forget Garden Committee at janiscoder@msn.com.

Nov. 10, Pontiac, Mich. Dedication of a Never Forget Garden at the Oakland History Center. Hosted by Lydia Barnes Potter Chapter. Start time TBD. For more information contact hofmannbj@comcast.net.

Nov. 10, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, Va. Tomb guard Mark Miller gives a public lecture on the historical aircraft that transported the Unknown Soldiers of World War II, Korea and Vietnam at 9 a.m. Following that, artist Michael Solovey gives a lecture on a new piece, “A Century of Silence and Respect,” at 10:30 a.m. A lecture by Jari Villanueva explores the “History of Taps at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., and the series wraps up at 3 p.m. with a lecture by author Jeff Gottesfeld on his children’s book “Twenty-One Steps.” For more information contact shgtusevents@tombguard.org.

Nov. 10, Nebraska State Capitol, Lincoln. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signs a proclamation at 10 a.m. honoring the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Nov. 11, Nationwide. At 11 a.m. local, communities participate in the National Salute to remember all who have served and sacrificed for this nation. https://tombguard.org/centennial/projects#national-salute. For more information contact publicaffairs@tombguard.org.

Nov. 11, Lebanon, Ore. A 10 a.m. gathering to remember all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces is led by the Oregon Daughters of the American Revolution at the Lebanon Veterans Home.

Nov. 11, Camp V, Tyler, Texas. A Veterans Day program with color guard, proclamation and remarks from dignitaries helps remember the Unknown Soldier starting at 10:30 a.m. A 21-gun salute by Jacksonville Marine Corps League No. 1381, and other presentations are planned beginning at 11 a.m. For more information contact Joanna Reagan, regent, Mary Tyler Chapter, NSDAR, at Joannareagan426@gmail.com or 903-539-0499. National Salute, blessing of Camp V Never Forget Garden at 11 a.m.

Nov. 11, Tyler, Texas. A Never Forget Garden is dedicated at the Queen’s Court Lawn in a program that includes presidential proclamations and remarks from other top officials. There will be a solemn procession through the Rose Garden to the Never Forget Garden, with flags and banners led by a color guard, dignitaries, veterans and guests, followed by a presentation of a white rose bouquet and blessing by Christ Church Episcopal Clergy. 1:30 p.m. For more information contact Joanna Reagan, regent, Mary Tyler Chapter, NSDAR, at Joannareagan426@gmail.com or 903-539-0499.

Nov. 11, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Dedication of a Never Forget Garden at the West Point Jewish Chapel with the Jewish Choir participating. 750 Merritt Rd., 11 a.m. For more information contact david.frommer@gmail.com.

Nov. 11, East Helena, Mont. Dedication of a Never Forget Garden at the East Helena Montana Cemetery. Hosted by the Oro Fino Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 410 N. Montana Ave., 10 a.m. For more information contact kramlic@msn.com.

Nov. 11, Lexington, Ky. Dedication of a Never Forget Garden at the city’s Veterans Park. Hosted by the Transylvania DAR Chapter, in concert with other Lexington/Fayette County SAR/DAR chapters. 650 Southpoint Dr., 10 a.m. For more information contact dorissettles@gmail.com.

Nov. 11, American Rose Center, Shreveport, La. Veterans Day program and National Salute ceremony for the centennial of the arrival of the Unknown Soldier. Louisiana Marine Graves B. Erskine will be remembered for his role in helping bring the soldier home in 1921 aboard USS Olympia. Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. 8877 Jefferson Paige Rd. For more information contact roseusa@suddenlink.net.

Nov. 11, Tucson, Ariz. Dedication of a Never Forget Garden at the Rincon County East RV Resort. 8989 E. Escalante Rd., 10 a.m. For more information contact shannon@rinconcountry.com.

Nov. 11, Aurora, Colo. Join the Toll Gate Creek Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, as we commemorate the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day with a special wreath ceremony and National Salute. Colorado Freedom Memorial, 756 Telluride St., 10:30 a.m. For more information contact TollGateCreekNSDAR@gmail.com.

Nov. 11, American Legion Post 3, Indianapolis. Post 3 in Broad Ripple, Ind., and Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, will conduct a ceremony at Post 3  at 10:45 a.m. 6379 N. College Ave. For more information contact sherribranaman@gmail.com.

Nov. 11, Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park, Baton Rouge. Gov. John Bel Edwards is the keynote speaker for an 11 a.m. Veterans Day and Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ceremony at the park, next to the state capitol. A Never Forget Garden will also be dedicated.

Nov. 11, Winthrop, Mass. The Boston Tea Party Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will dedicate a Never Forget Garden and lay a wreath at the base of the WWI Memorial as part of annual Veterans Day observances at Metcalf Square, at 11 a.m.

Nov. 11, Union Station, Montgomery, Ala. The city remembers the Unknown Soldier with a National Salute and gathering to dedicate the World War I statue “The Return from the Argonne” by Jim Butler. The event includes an 11 a.m. flyover by the Alabama National Guard. The statue will be honoring all WWI soldiers from Alabama, not only the 167th Infantry Regiment which was part of the Rainbow Division but also the other Alabamians who fought in WWI. The only other unit, besides the 167th, who fought in the Meuse-Argonne campaign and had a majority of Alabamians was the 366th Regiment in the 92nd Division. There were also a certain number of Alabamians in the Dixie Division who served as replacements in other units. We will honor as well the two Medal of Honor recipients from Alabama and James Reese Europe, the bandleader of the 369th, who was a native of Mobile. For more information contact yjones-smedley@montgomeryal.gov.

Nov. 11, Platteville, Wis. Dedication of a Never Forget Garden at the City Park. Hosted by the Fort Crawford Chapter of DAR along with the VFW and American Legion post. 11 a.m. For more information contact nfairchild2@gmail.com.

Nov. 11, Battleship New Jersey, Camden, N.J. National Salute aboard USS New Jersey that consists of a five-inch broadside gun salute (something that has occurred twice while the ship has been a memorial), a moment of silence, and concluding with the sounding of taps. 62 Battleship Pl., 11 a.m. There will be cannon fire from the ship's battery. For more information contact c.bracelin@battleshipnewjersey.org.

Nov. 11, Phoenixville, Pa. The Valley Forge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution conduct a National Salute at the Phoenixville Historical Society, 204 Church St., at 11 a.m.

Nov. 11, Woodland, Calif. Honoring the Unknown Soldier - An Exhibit Commemorating the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier [1921-2021]. Presented by the Friends of the Yolo County Archives and the "Lest We Forget" Project, courtesy of YoloArts Gallery 625. Erwin Meier Building, 625 Court St., 11 a.m. For further information contact Mel Russell at yolocountyWW1@gmail.com.

Nov. 11, Staten Island, N.Y. Dedication of a Never Forget Garden at the H H Biddle House. Hosted by the Richmond County Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 70 Satterlee St., 11:11 a.m. For more information contact Leona.lane@fxair.com.

Nov. 11, Valdosta, Ga. Dedication of a Never Forget Garden at the Crescent. Hosted by the General James Jackson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Garden Center, Inc. 904 North Patterson St., 2 p.m. For more information contact misspatti@windstream.net.

Nov. 11, Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham, Ala. UNKNOWN is a dramatic song cycle commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, examining its significance in the American story and those who have been affected by it. This collection of songs by composer Shawn E. Okpebholo will reflect not only the soldiers buried within and the Guards who keep watch, but also those soldiers left behind, visitors and family members, and others whose lives have been touched by the Tomb. This event will be a broadcast of the streaming premiere. Performance length is approximately 20 minutes. In addition to the performance, the event will also feature interviews and conversation with historians and other relevant speakers. Commissioned by UrbanArias in partnership with Opera Birmingham, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Opera Colorado and Minnesota Opera. Additional support provided by Stephen E. and Dorothy P. Bird. Tickets available at http://www.operabirmingham.org/unknown.

Nov. 11, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, Md. The Children’s Literature Center at FSU features “Twenty-One Steps” illustrator Matt Tavares at 6 p.m. An American Legion flag ceremony is planned with a dinner for veterans to follow. 101 Braddock Rd. For more information contact smoneal@frostburg.edu.

Nov. 12, Shreveport, La. LSU-Shreveport will host a one-day symposium called “Unknowns: A Centennial Symposium in partnership with Louisiana State University Shreveport,” featuring four main speakers through the day, plus an exhibit of Medal of Honor-related artifacts. Starts at 9 a.m. For more information contact ELengel@mohmuseum.org.
Nov. 13, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, Va. Public lecture by members of the United States Army Band about the special bond between Sergeant “B” and the Sentinels who stand the watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 10:30 a.m.
Nov. 15-20, Salem, Ind. The “A Call to Honor” Tomb of the Unknown Soldier half scale replica is on display at the Salem Army National Guard Building.
Nov. 20, Sarasota, Fla. A Never Forget Garden is dedicated at the Sara De Soto Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter House, 1232 12th St. Time to be determined.
Dec. 1-31, Tyler, Texas. A commemorative display honoring the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider is presented at the Robert R. Muntz Library, 3900 University Blvd.